Congress Passes Reforms To CPSIA
In a near unanimous vote, Congress has passed a law that amends the much-criticized Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), providing greater clarity for testing procedures. Called the Enhancing CPSC Authority and Discretion Act of 2011 (ECADA), the new legislation narrows the CPSIA's lead-testing requirements to products manufactured since the date of enactment, creates certain exceptions for small-batch manufacturers and removes lead limits for used children's products.

"The bill approved by the House today makes great strides toward cleaning up the regulatory mess created by the CPSIA, giving the Consumer Product Safety Commission the flexibility it needs to regulate based on risk," read a statement issued Monday by House officials. "The bill's changes aim to reduce the burden of the law while maintaining strong protections for children."

While the bill provides more authority to the CPSC in determining testing requirements, it does not change the action schedule regarding lead limits. As previously announced, the amount of lead allowable in children's products will drop from the current level of 300 parts per million (ppm) to 100 ppm on August 14. The mandate applies to all manufacturers, importers, retailers and distributors of children's products. "The Commission's decision on the statutorily mandated 100 ppm lead limit was an important step forward in achieving the goal to get the lead out of toys and other children's products," said Inez Tenenbaum, chairman of the CPSC. "As a result of the Commission's decision, consumers can rest assured that lead should be virtually nonexistent in toys and other children's products."

While children's items must contain less than 100 ppm of lead as of August 14, there is still a stay of enforcement on the CPSIA's testing requirements until December 31 of this year. It's believed the CPSC was waiting on the passage of the ECADA before issuing specific testing rules. Passed late yesterday by the U.S. Senate, the ECADA now goes to President Obama for approval.

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Small Business Expectations Mixed
A new survey released this week shows that a majority of small business owners believe their sales will increase in 2011. But tempering some of that optimism, a growing number in the survey don't expect the economy to fully rebound until at least the first quarter of next year. Only 12% of survey respondents believe an economic recovery is currently underway, resulting in cautious decisions that have slowed hiring. "Elevated fears over the national debt, government expansion and prospective tax increases are currently outweighing the natural optimism and entrepreneurial instincts in the small business community," said Paul J. Sarvadi, CEO of research firm Insperity, which conducted the survey.

Despite the muted view of small businesses, though, many are still planning on expanding their employee ranks this year. According to survey results, 32% of small business owners say they are adding new employees in 2011. Also in the survey, about 63% of participants said they expect to maintain employee compensation at current levels throughout 2011. Listed among the greatest short-term concerns for small business owners are the economy (79%), rising prices for health care (47%), and the need to control operating costs (39%). In the long-term, small business owners are most concerned about the federal deficit (70%), the economy (70%), government expansion and its effects (63%), and potential tax increases (61%).

Along with the tempered optimism some in the survey showed, the report did reveal a few positive trends, as well. Overall, 52% of small business owners anticipate their sales to be better this year than in 2010, with 70% of respondents saying they are either meeting or exceeding their 2011 performance plans. With the goal of aggressively building up their business, 70% of respondents named selling new accounts as a leading growth strategy, followed by 49% who said they were adding services or products, 32% who listed negotiating with vendors and 27% who plan to invest in company improvements.

The Joe Show: Holiday Gift GivingIn this episode of The Joe Show, Managing Editor Joe Haley proves that it’s never too early to start thinking about end-of-year holiday time. Need some new ideas to present to clients for their holiday programs? Want to get a jump-start on your own holiday gift offerings? Check out the video for ideas.

Chocolate Inn Announces Exclusive Partnership
Food gift supplier Chocolate Inn (asi/44900) announced this morning that it has signed an exclusive partnership agreement with Lindt & Sprungli to serve as the sole licensed provider of Lindt-branded items to the ad specialty industry. Chocolate Inn will now be the exclusive supplier of Lindor truffles and Lindt chocolate bars and premium chocolate confections in the market. The supplier’s new catalog, which is available now, includes several packaging and desk accessory options with Lindt chocolates and the Lindt logo.

ASI Radio: Improve Marketing With PR EffortsThis morning's Tuesday Morning Show on ASI Radio provided distributors with answers to questions about how they can increase the effectiveness of their marketing efforts by employing inexpensive public relations strategies. Plus, the hosts shared their "Favorite Things," offered tips for creating a great e-newsletter, and debated how to deal with late-paying customers.

If you missed the show, a recording is now available at www.asicentral.com/radio. And, don't forget to join us for our next broadcast – Tuesday, August 9. Log on at 10:30 a.m. ET to listen to the show – and give us a call at (215) 953-4979 to hear your voice on the air.

Survey: Cash Concerns Outweigh Tech Upgrade Needs
A recent survey of 500 information technology managers from across the United States found that 93% of companies have put cost concerns ahead of technology solutions, leading 89% of those businesses to experience IT-related problems. Commissioned by HP and conducted by Washington, D.C.-based Wakefield Research, the survey found that the top three tech problems reported by cash-strapped companies are low-performing hardware, out-of-date hardware and unreliable hardware. These issues decreased computing efficiency and caused productivity to dip, the study determined.

"The survey findings confirm that budget-constrained small businesses are playing tug of war when it comes to balancing smart IT purchasing decisions and their budgets," says Stephen DiFranco, senior vice president and general manager, Personal Systems Group for Americas, HP.

Additionally, many IT managers are particularly concerned about network security during the summer because more employees telecommute than at other times of the year, the survey found. This increases security risks for the 58% of companies that have not invested in network security this year, according to the study.

When given the chance to tell their top executives how to solve common concerns, IT managers recommend upgrading to newer and better quality components, investing more money into IT systems and spending more time planning and researching the best solutions for their company's needs.

Best Places To Work Road Tour Highlights Great WorkplacesCounselor editors have completed their special 2011 Best Places to Work Road Tour, where they visited 14 companies in eight days in a cross-country marathon. What did they find? In addition to the secrets of workplace – and business – success from companies that truly run great operations, the Road Tour crew traveled 3,000 miles and had many tales from the road. Blogs, videos and more pictures than three Blackberries can even hold are now online at the Road Tour page. Go to www.asicentral.com/roadtour to check out the whole trip – both the visits with Best Places to Work companies and the interesting events surrounding our 3,000-mile road trip.

Also, here are videos from two of our visits. Click here to watch the Road Tour crew play the Promo Minute To Win It game at distributor firm Sonic Promos in Gaithersburg, MD.

And, click here to watch an interview with Jeff Hall and Teki Hall, the husband-and-wife owners of New Clients Promotional Marketing, a distributor firm in Richmond, VA.

Are You A Pen Sales Pro? Counselor is searching for some of the best and most successful distributors of pens and writing instruments. For our special October Writing Instruments issue, we’ll be profiling salespeople and distributors who have had growth in pen sales recently. Is that you? Have you been able to use pens, highlighters, markers, and pencils in a range of client promotions?

Let us know how you’ve done it and why you think pens make for such a versatile and successful promotional product. Send a brief e-mail to Andy Cohen, editor, at acohen@asicentral.com. Be sure to include your name, company, and phone number, as a reporter may be in touch with you for an interview.

In the News
Advance Corporation (asi/32180), which was founded in 1941 by William Lorenz as a manufacturer of flexographic products, announced that it is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Broder Bros., Co. (asi/42090) announced the launch of its Promotional Apparel Buyer's Guide, an end user-friendly version of its Selling What Sells sales tool. For more information and to order free copies, go to www.broderbros.com.

Bullet (asi/42424) announced its "More Flash, Less Cash" theme for its 2011 midyear product launch. This year's midyear catalog contains over 240 new options.

Digispec (asi/49716) announced the launch of a completely redesigned website, which includes easy navigation, most popular product options and sections designed for distributors. Go to www.digispec.com to view the site.

Leed's (asi/66887) announced the latest product launch from its "New Ways to Shine" program, which offers distributors more than 200 new product options.

People On The Move
Bag Makers, Inc. (asi/37940) announced that Barbara Forde has been appointed southwest sales manager, responsible for AZ and CA. Also, the supplier announced the addition of Sarabeth Anderson to the position of northwest sales manager, responsible for WA, OR, ID, UT, AK, MO, WY, and Western Canada.

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The following are the dates and locations for The ASI Show in 2012:
Orlando, January 16-18, 2012
Dallas, February 1-3, 2012
San Diego, April 2-4, 2012
New York, May 8-10, 2012
Chicago, July 17-19, 2012